Best Organic Mattress

Looking for An Organic Mattress? What You Need To Know

Most mattresses you see in stores are not organic and contain synthetic materials produced from chemical processes. By comparison, an organic mattress is constructed with natural materials that are plant and animal based such as latex or foam made from rubber tree sap and organic wool and cotton.

Hybrid and latex beds are common organic mattress materials, although there are some plant-based foams. Hybrid mattresses have an innerspring support base with latex or natural foam on top. Some bed brands may market themselves as natural or organic when they are not 100% natural but market themselves as such because they have some organic materials in their design.

For instance, some beds that promote themselves as organic may have only an organic cover, and the materials inside are synthetic. If you want a 100% organic and all-natural mattress, you’ll have to do your homework to make sure that you get what you want. You may be satisfied with a mattress that’s partially organic, or you might want one that’s all-natural from top to bottom and side to side.

This buying guide will help you find the best organic mattress for your lifestyle and sleeping comfort.

Why Buy an Organic Mattress?

The words “organic” and “all-natural” are trendy right now. Consumers have an increasing interest in products that are healthier, non-toxic, and that may improve your quality of life. For most people, when you think organic, food comes to mind before a mattress. Since what you eat is known to affect your health and longevity, choosing organic foods makes sense.

However, you might not consider as carefully what’s inside your bed and the materials on which you sleep every night – but you should! You’ll spend 6-8 hours (or more) every night snoozing on its surface with your skin rubbing up against it and breathing in the fibers. It’s easy to see that your choice of mattress materials could affect your health.

Allergies

One concern with organic mattresses is a wool allergy as many brands use it in batting and comfort layers. According to research compiled by Woolmark, a long-established QA brand, wool is not an allergen and irritation comes from the weave of the cloth or chemicals used to treat the fabric. Neither should be an issue with organic wool.

If you have a latex allergy, you may have reactions to natural latex made from rubber tree sap even though it’s an organic product, so it’s best to avoid it. If you have allergies to synthetics, asthma or health concerns, or worry about your kids’ health, you might want to make a more natural choice in bedding and go with an organic mattress.

Chemicals

Another issue is that, by Federal law, mattresses must be fireproof and this is usually done with chemicals which can be harsh. Some are possible carcinogens or are classed as toxins and fall into the pesticide category. In contrast, organic mattresses use substances like New Zealand Wool which is naturally fire resistant because it contains high keratin protein and has natural moisture.

Next, look at our top five picks for best organic mattress.

Our Top 5 Picks for Best Organic Mattress

Manufacturer

Model

Mattress Type

Firmness

Price*

Avocado Green

Latex Hybrid

5.5 and 7

$1,399

Essentia Tatami

Latex Memory Foam

6.5

$2,349

Loom & Leaf

Foam

6.5 or 8

$1,099

Nest Bedding Alexander Signature

Foam

5 and 7

$1,199

PlushBeds Botanical Bliss

Latex

6

$1,699-$2,299

*All prices are for a Queen-sized bed before seasonal promos/discounts are applied.

What Are the Pros and Cons of an Organic Mattress?

If you’re considering changing to an organic mattress, for whatever reason, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of making this shift. Here are some things to consider.

Pros of going organic:

Free of chemicals

Hypoallergenic (so long as you don’t have a latex allergy)

Sustainably sourced without pesticides

Naturally flame retardant

Biodegradable

Free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds)

Cons of going organic:

Not that many organic brands on the market

Within those brands, not as many options

Usually much more expensive

Can be confusing to know what’s “natural”

Difficult to compare between products and brands

Next, we’ll look quickly at mattress firmness.

Does Going Organic Affect Firmness?

You should be able to find an organic mattress that fits your firmness needs, but you may need to be more flexible with your budget. Why? Because there are fewer mattress brands that are organic and therefore fewer options, if you need a very firm or very soft bed, you might face limitations of choice. Mattress firmness is rated 1 to 10 in the industry with 1 as softest and 10 as firmest.

The numbers can be interpreted as:

(1) Very soft – you’ll sink in deeply, and there’s little support.

(2-3) Soft – you sink in, but with a bit more support.

(4-6) Medium and medium-firm – enhanced support but still contours.

(7-9) Firm – very good support, but little sink-in and less contour.

(10) Very firm – very little cushion and can feel too rigid.

Few people want a mattress at either end of the scale because too soft and too firm are extremes. Most consumers find that “just right” sensation in the middle of the scale at the medium or medium-firm rating. However, if you’re a very lightweight person, you’ll want a softer bed to ease pressure and let you sink in and engage with the comfort layer.

Conversely, if you’re very heavy, a firmer mattress is what you’ll need to prevent sag and hammocking and provide ample support for your heavier frame. If one of you is light and one of you is heavy, you may need to consider a split design where each half of the bed is different. Compromise when choosing the best organic mattress may be required if you have different sleep needs from your partner.

Now let’s discuss organic mattress materials on the market.

What Organic Mattress Materials Can You Choose?

There are three primary types of mattress materials: innerspring, foam, and latex. Hybrid beds are the fourth option and blend innerspring with one of the other materials. Mattresses are made with two sections: the support core and the comfort layer(s). The core should support your spine in a neutral position. The comfort layers contour your body and ease pressure on shoulders and hips.

You can find organic options of these materials. Here is what you should know:

Foam

Plant-based foam is the only organic type of foam bed. All other foams such as polyfoam and standard memory foam are from a chemical process and synthetic ingredients. Plant-based foams can be from rubber tree or soy plants. Many plant-based foams are used in combination with synthetic materials so that the bed may be natural, to some extent, but not truly organic.

Innerspring

In an innerspring mattress, the support core is metal coils. Some are pocket coils which are springs inside fabric sleeves while others are just wire springs attached to each other by wire. Because it’s metal, it can be a natural product. The cover and top padding of these beds are often organic cotton that may be tufted and of varying thickness depending on design and firmness.

Latex

Organic latex comes from rubber tree plants and is a premium mattress material that has a luxurious feel. On an organic bed of this type, the support core is made of firmer and denser latex while the comfort layer(s) are softer for hug and contour, the extent of which depends on the desired firmness of the bed. Look for an organic cotton cover for an all-natural sleep experience.

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress that’s organic should have its pocket coils encased in organic fabrics from sustainable sources. Over that is the comfort layers which may be latex or plant-based foam. The casing should be wool or cotton if the bed advertises itself as all-natural. Hybrid beds offer the best of materials but can come at a higher price tag, close to that of premium latex.

Now let’s take a look at the best organic mattress reviews.

Best Organic Mattress Reviews

When looking for the best organic mattress, what ultimately matters is your personal preference. The materials and firmness that feel good to you are subjective. When comparing organic mattresses, reviews help you find the eco-friendly bed you want, that will perform well, and meet your budget. Below see our top five picks, pros and cons of each bed, a look at the materials inside, and why each made our list.

Avocado Green

Materials

Avocado Green’s organic mattress is an 11” latex hybrid made with an 8” pocket coil support core designed in three zones for optimal support and with a reinforced perimeter. Under the coils is a 1” base of high-density latex. The top layer is 2” of high-quality natural latex inside an organic cotton cover.

The Pros

This bed is eco-friendly, organic cotton, certified organic New Zealand wool, 100% natural latex, sustainably sourced and handmade. Because it’s latex, it sleeps cool, conforms, and supports. It rates at medium-firm which is good for most people, even those with lower back pain.

The Cons

At a price point of $1,399, it’s one of the costlier on our list. If you want the optional 2” pillowtop for a plusher sleep surface (and a total 13” in height), it’ll add another $400 to the cost, but could be well worth it if you want more cushion. Also, it takes two to three weeks to get the bed.

Why Avocado Green Stands Out

Avocado Green is GREENGAURD Gold, eco-INSTITUT, GOTS, and OEKO-TEX certified. There are no petroleum products, chemicals, or ozone-depleting materials used. If you want a 100% organic, all-natural bed that gives a good night’s sleep, this one is moderately priced and loved by buyers.

Essentia Tatami

Materials

The Essentia Tatami is an organic latex and memory foam 8” mattress made from hevea milk (rubber tree sap) in a patented process. The support core is 7” of high-quality Dunlop latex under the 1” high-density natural memory foam, wrapped in an organic cotton cover that’s removable for cleaning.

The Pros

This bed is eco-friendly and made from all-natural materials. Essentia combines two of the best mattress materials, memory foam and latex, in a design that fuses the materials in the layers for zero shifting. As a firmer bed, this is a good fit for stomach and back sleepers.

The Cons

If you’re very lightweight (less than 130 pounds), you might not be able to sink in enough for comfort. Also, the Tatami takes a little time to break in and will soften and get more comfortable over time. The price point is high at $2,349, and low weight side sleepers may not get the hug they need.

Why Essentia Tatami Stands Out

Essentia’s Tatami bed is OEKO-TEX, GREENGAURD, Green America, GOTS, GOLS, and Clean Air certified and meets EuroLatex ECO-Standards. Memory foam and latex together are premium sleep materials, but all-natural memory foam is rare, so this organic mattress may be a great choice for you.

Loom & Leaf

Materials

Loom & Leaf is an eco-friendly 12” mattress with four layers. The base is 5.5” of dense polyfoam under a 2” transition loft pad layer for contour. The dual comfort layers start with 2.5” of durable premium memory foam under 2” of convoluted gel-swirl memory foam with an organic cotton cover.

The Pros

At $1,099 the price point is one of the best on our list, and it’s well-rated with buyers and available in firm (rated 8) and relaxed firm (rated 6.5). The heavier you are, the firmer you’ll want to go. The bed is made with sustainably sourced materials, is Certi-PUR rated, and uses many organic materials.

The Cons

The Loom and Leaf bed is not 100% organic but has a high percentage of organic materials. If you’re on a budget and want a greener bed, this may be one to consider. They use eco-friendly foam made from renewable oils in processes that reduce greenhouse gasses in the manufacturing process.

Why Loom & Leaf Stands Out

Although it’s not a completely all-natural bed, it’s an excellent mattress that’s much greener than most beds. The sleep effect is comparable to the nearly $5k Tempur-Pedic bed, and white glove delivery and set-up are included in the price. Going greener on a budget has never been easier.

Nest Bedding Alexander Signature

Materials

The Nest Alexander Signature is a four-layer mattress made with Certi-PUR certified foams. The 6” foam support core has edge support and above that is 2” of cooling smart flow foam. The comfort layers are 1” of Visco memory foam and the top is 2.5” of gel memory foam and a heat-reducing cover.

The Pros

The foams in the Next Bedding Alexander Signature mattress are certified non-toxic, durable, and provide an excellent sleep experience with cooling air flow technology. The mattress accommodates back, side and stomach sleepers with two firmness options.

The Cons

While not an all-natural bed, this product is much greener than most mattresses. The foams are eco-friendly, tested to ensure they contain no harmful chemicals. Also, the fire barrier is made with all-natural hydrated silica (an ingredient used in toothpaste) rather than harsh chemicals.

Why Nest Bedding Alexander Signature Stands Out

The Alexander Signature is a good alternative to going with a very costly all-organic bed because the price is modest at $1,199 for the quality materials you’ll get. All their foams are certified to be free of harmful chemicals, so this is an excellent choice for mattress shoppers looking to get greener.

PlushBeds Botanical Bliss

Materials

The Botanical Bliss line by PlushBeds comes in 9”, 10”, or 12” options. The thickness of layers depends on the option you choose. The support core is a thick layer of organic latex, and the comfort layer is open-cell breathable organic latex. The cover is soft wool with knit organic cotton.

The Pros

The Botanical Bliss comes in three thickness options and three firmness at soft (3.5), medium (5), and medium-firm (6.5) so there’s something for every sleep posture and preference. The mattress is all-natural, hypoallergenic, and extremely durable, plus it sleeps cool and is totally organic.

The Cons

The price range for a queen Botanical Bliss ranges from $1,699 for the 9” up to $2,299 for the 12” mattress, so it’s not a bed for a tight budget. Another consideration is that even though it’s an all-natural bed, if you or your co-sleeper has a latex allergy, this bed is not advisable.

Why PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Stands Out

The PlushBeds line is GOLS, GREENGAURD Gold, eco-INSTITUT, and OEKO-TEX certified. If you want a true organic mattress, the Botanical Bliss meets that requirement. As a latex bed, it sleeps cool, has a nice bounce, contour, and pressure relief from a company with a solid reputation.